Is Rory McIlroy the new Tiger Woods? Family photos seem to suggest so

Rory McIlroy has been hailed as the new
Tiger Woods, with the ability to match the golf great swing for swing â and pound for pound.

Rory McIlroy winning the 2011 US Open (Pic: Action Images)

Tiger Woods winning the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2000

Following his stunning victory in the US Open, Rory McIlroy may become the highest paid British sports star of all time, experts say.

And he could even match the Â£1billion fortune of Woods â the richest man in sport.

The 22-year-old already earns about £5million in sponsorship deals.

Rory McIlroy hugs his father Gerry on the 18th green (Pic: AP)

Tiger Woods hugging his late father Earl Woods in 1997 (Pic: AP)

When asked if McIlroy could become the new Woods, PR guru Max Clifford said: âIn terms of his earning potential, yes. In the next 12 months, he could comfortably make Â£10million and in ten to 15 years, he could have made Â£100million, provided heâs still playing the way he is at the minute.â

The Northern Irishmanâs US victory saw him become the youngest person to win the tournament since 1923.

âHe has the potential to do what Roger Federer, Michael Schumacher and Tiger Woods have done,â said Nigel Currie, from sports marketing agency Brand Rapport.